Aside from the strength training, Tobias incorporated agility drills. After performing exercises to develop reactive strength, Tobias introduced exercises that targets the concentric strength and power. Reactive strength refers to the ability to produce force in a very limited time while Concentric strength and power refers to producing force at high speeds in a particular direction.
Currently Sol and Tobias are doing the Split Squat Jumps wherein they are in a half-kneel position (or what you call the proposal position) and then they will explosively jump and half-kneel again switching their foot.
While doing this, Sol removed the sun necklace from her neck and threw it at the Captain who immediately caught it.
"Why did you throw this to me?"
"Captain, you asked for my loyalty in exchange for what I did to you at the tavern. I'm pledging my loyalty to you. That sun necklace is my proof."
"I don't want a loyalty that is based on an exchange because it can be easily bought," he said and threw the necklace back at Sol who quickly caught it while still doing the exercise.
"I am not pledging my loyalty because of that. Captain, can't you see? I easily gave the sun necklace to you. You knew how precious that is to me. Captain, I am giving my heart to you," she said and threw the necklace at him. Tobias caught it once again.
"No matter what happens, Captain, I will always be on your side."
"Are you sure? You don't really know who I am and you are pledging loyalty. Have you heard the rumors about me?"
"Which one, Captain? You, being ruthless? Captain with the stare of death? Captain with a god-like beauty?"
"Yes, that too; but there are more."
"Ah. You, being related to a traitor?"
"That too."
"What's wrong with that? What does it have to do with my loyalty?"
"Ah. You are too young to understand."
"I don't know about that Captain but I know and feel that you are a great person. So, no matter what background you have, I have confidence in you that's why I'm pledging my loyalty to you."
"Let's see about that," he said as he hung the necklace on his neck. "By the way, I remembered. When are you going to return my defender pin? I kept my promise, I didn't touch your brothers. I didn't even treat Nikos badly."
"But you never know Captain."
"What? So you pledge your loyalty to me without trusting me? Trust is the foundation of loyalty."
"It could be admired, Captain."
"What?"
"Final statement Captain, I am keeping your defender pin until I finish my training. I am using it as a motivator."
Tobias went speechless.
She is really unbelievable! How can she argue with me and how can I just keep quiet and act defeated like this? Is my ruthlessness getting rusty now?
XXX
Around several months from their visit, devastating news circled the land. Due to old age, Chief Healer Sapiensa left this world. It is shocking to many as she seemed strong.
Rather than in sorrow, the Supremo is fuming. He's throwing a fit in his study. Adviser Moraii tried to calm him down but to no avail.
"Adviser Moraii! Tell me, how can I calm down? The hope for recreating Luminous is gone. The Corpse Shield will disperse soon. Now, I'll be waiting helplessly for those great armies to come again."
"Supremo, calm down. You were able to defeat them with 500 Wishbones."
"Yes, but they could have found a way to eradicate us. You are able to find a book that contains the recipe for the 'Kiss of the Moon'. How can they not?"
Kiss of the Moon is a poison that would bring back all of the Wishbones into normal people or Pure-Blooded.
"Then, she must've left a trace somewhere."
Supremo looked intently at Adviser Moraii. After contemplating for a while , he silently agreed.
"Then, let's go South."
XXX
After receiving the devastating news, Captain Karsh gathered all the aspirants after dinner in the training grounds.
"In solemn remembrance of the life and contribution of our Chief Healer, training will resume the day after tomorrow. Thus, tomorrow is a free day. Take that as a day to rest and re-ignite your love to our motherland. That's all, you're dismissed."
The aspirants went back to their quarters in a rather gloomy attitude. Everyone is in disbelief with the news. It was so sudden.
Meanwhile, Sol was frozen in her place. Everyone left the training grounds, but her.
"Haelas!" she exclaimed, "What should I do? He will be so devastated when he hears about this. He will be alright, right? Karisha is with him."
Sol let out a harsh sigh. She then started walking towards the quarters when she saw Captain Karsh approaching her. She stopped on her tracks and waited for him.
"Will you go with me to the South?" Tobias asked Sol.
"Well…"
"Yes or no?"
"Yes, Captain. Then can we go see my friends at the Fort Amethyst training camp?"
"No. With your horseback riding skills, it will take us a long time to reach the South. We can't afford a delay . You will eventually see them there. Go and pack your things. Meet me at the stable," he said and walked away.
Ahh, Captain Karsh never fails to insult me. But, why does his insult not hurt me at all?
Sol then rushed towards her quarters, packed some clothes and ran towards the stable, leaving her quartermates confused.
XXX
Like what Tobias predicted, Sol's horseback riding skills took them a long time to reach the South. As expected, a lot of people came to see the Chief Healer for one last time. Almost all of the Wishbones came as well as the Ministers from the different Ministries. The Supremo also came. Commander Remus caught Tobias' gaze. The unpleasant reaction came again. He unconsciously held onto Sol.
Sol was stunned with Tobias' sudden tight grip on her arm. She immediately turned towards him. His head is lowered. He is sweating and trembling.
"Captain, what's wrong?" she asked in deep concern.
"N-Nothing. I-I'm Okay," he said, gritting his teeth.
Sol looked at him again. He really looked terrible. Sol then pulled Tobias away from the crowd. She then led him to a nearby stream.
"Where are we going?" Tobias asked.
"Somewhere nice. Believe me."
After a few steps, they arrived at the stream. The gentle sound from the stream started calming Tobias.
"Leave," Tobias said in a hoarse voice.
I don't want you to see me like this.
Sol looked at Tobias. He doesn't seem to be angry.
Maybe he needs some time alone.
Sol obliged and walked away. Still, she didn't go that far from Tobias. She is still worried about him.
This is the second time I saw him like this. Is it a kind of illness? Should I learn how to heal?
After several minutes of talking to herself, a tall person in maroon robes passed by her, stopping just in front of her.
"Let's go," he said, after turning to her.
He's back to his old self again.
As they went inside the hall that holds the body of the Chief Healer, you could see the Spiritual Leader chatting with the bereaved family. The important guests were seated at an adjacent hall; while the ordinary civilians were situated at the grounds.
As soon as Sol saw Haelas, she walked towards him and gave him a tight hug. Karisha also wrapped her arms around them.
Haelas began to sob in Sol' arms while the latter tapped her friend's back in comfort and empathy.
Meanwhile, Dorn and Ka-el reunited with Tobias.
"I can't believe how sudden this is. She seemed so healthy during our visit; but now, she's already gone," commented Ka-el.
"Death is really uncertain. Someone who's there today could be gone tomorrow. It doesn't even give you a warning," Tobias added.
"Right."
Dorn looked at Tobias, he doesn't know if the sorrow in his eyes was for the Chief Healer or somebody else.
He is as interesting as ever.
XXX
"We meet again," Senior Historian Gracias said to Tobias as soon as she saw him going towards the buffet table.
"Right. So, are you going to tell me now?"
"Yes," she said as she joined him towards the buffet table, "She has severe nightmares that she couldn't sleep. She's even afraid to sleep."
"Nightmares."
"Mm. She saw how Lady Merida was slain. Seeing that she couldn't sleep and that she got ill because of it, the Supremo decided to call for the Chief Healer for any possible solution to make the Young Miss forget what she saw. There is a solution though but it will negatively affect the Young Miss in the cultivation of her skills. Regardless, the Supremo proceeded with it. Now, it's your turn to return the favor."
"What should I do?"
"Bring me the True Accounts written by Senior Historian Lukas. It is a tiny blue book and here is the list of possible thieves," she said and handed him a paper before leaving him.
Tobias immediately secured it in his pocket. He then looked around and he saw Sol and her friends going towards the river. He made a run for it and he immediately hugged Sol tightly as soon as he reached them.
It must have been tough. He thought.
Sol stared back at Haelas and Karisha who were also staring back at her with puzzled looks.
"I don't know what's happening," Sol mouthed at them.
After realizing what he had done, Tobias released Sol and walked back towards the abode as if nothing happened. His heart felt heavy when he found out that Sol had suffered then and until now because of witnessing the slay of Lady Merida. He wanted to hug her more.
XXX
Just after the funeral of Chief Healer Sapiensa was held, several skilled masked men entered the Chief Healer's abode at midnight. They were able to get in without anyone suspecting. Each of the men went to the different rooms of the abode, searching for something. They poke their eyes into every nook and cranny. However, as the dawn breaks, they couldn't manage to find the one they're searching for. They decided to let it go and leave the place.
The caretakers of the abode just found early in the morning that intruders visited the abode last night. Everything in each room was scattered. However, no valuables were taken.
This incident was immediately filed at the Investigation Bureau by the new Chief Healer, Haelas' Uncle Mikos.
XXX
Meanwhile, at the Supremo's Manse, Commander Remus arrived with visible fatigue. He just journeyed from the South.
"You don't seem to bear good news," the Supremo noted when he looked at the distraught Commander with nothing on his arms.
"Forgive me, Supremo. We rummaged all throughout the Chief Healer's abode but we found nothing."
"Then, if Chief Healer didn't leave a trace; She couldn't be the only one who knew how to concoct Luminous," Adviser Moraii chimed in as he entered the Supremo's study.
The Supremo looked intently at his most trusted Adviser. Then he looked at Commander Remus.
"Round up every healer in our land. I'll go myself to the South. I need to talk to the new Chief Healer."
"Yes, Supremo," Commander Remus said and walked out.
The Supremo turned towards Adviser Moraii.
"Are you sure there's a possibility that someone other than the Chief Healer knew how to concoct the Luminous?"
"The Luminous is a valuable concoction. She wouldn't let it disappear. There's bound to be someone who knows about it."
"Then, let's go South."
Adviser Moraii nodded and left the Supremo in deep thoughts.
XXX
In a short while, every healer was questioned and asked about a thing called 'Luminous'. It was done in complete secrecy as not to spread awareness to the people. The Supremo also finally arrived at the Chief Healer's abode. He was met by the new Chief Healer.
"To what do we owe this visit, Supremo?" Chief Healer Mikos asked.
"Do you know anything about Luminous?" he asked straight away.
"Luminous? Is that a kind of herb, Supremo?"
The Supremo looked intently at the Chief Healer. He doesn't seem to be lying.
"Call for all your healers here in the South. I want to meet them all."
"Um. Yes, Supremo, as you ordered."
In a while, Chief Healer Mikos was able to gather all the Healers in the South. He gathered them at the grounds and waited for the Supremo to come out from the inner hall. After several minutes, he came out. He straightforwardly asked if anyone knew about Luminous.
"Step forward if you knew about the thing I'm asking. If no one will admit, I will have to bring you all to the cells of the Investigation Bureau. I don't have to remind you how they get people to answer their inquiries."
All of the healers shivered at the thought. The cells of the bureau hold terrors beyond anyone's imagination. Every one of them looked at each other to see if somebody would step forward.
After several minutes of silence, Chief Healer Mikos approached the Supremo.
"Supremo, it seems that no one knew about this thing you're asking for," he said when nobody stepped forward.
"There's bound to be someone who knows it. Well, I'll see if you can still keep your silence when you're inside the cells," the Supremo said sternly and turned towards his golden shielders, "Seize them!!"
The healers began to tremble in fear as the golden shielders, who are stationed around them, began to close in towards them. Some tried to run away, but they were immediately caught.
"Please don't be like this Supremo. These healers dedicated their service to the land. Let's sort this out in a more diplomatic way. Perhaps if you would give us details about this thing. Maybe we could try to find out about it."
The Supremo just gave him a look then he turned towards the Healers.
"I tried to be diplomatic with you. To the person who knew about the Luminous, watch carefully what will happen to you and your fellow healers because you chose not to step forward!" he stated sternly, and started walking towards the inner hall.
The Golden Shielders then started binding the arms of the healers with rope. Suddenly, a young healer cried out from the crowd.
"Supremo, I know someone who might know!" the young healer shouted. He's the cousin of Haelas who's jealous about the attention the previous Chief Healer Sapiensa gave to him.
The Supremo stopped on his tracks and turned to the healers again.
"Haelas might know!" the young healer said.
"Haelas?" the Supremo asked.
"What are you saying? Don't spout nonsense!" Chief Healer Mikos shouted at the young healer.
The Supremo raised his hand.
"Let him speak."
"Haelas is the favorite of our grandmother Chief Healer Sapiensa. Last vacation, our grandmother made him stay for a special training. The Luminous you're talking about might have been given to Haelas!"
The Supremo looked at the other healers. They seem to agree with what the young healer is saying.
The Supremo then journeyed to the Capital after ordering Commander Remus to keep the commotion under wraps. He then left some of his golden shielders to look after the healers as he investigates Haelas. He also sent one of his golden shielders to bring Haelas to the Manse.
Sol was having her special training when a messenger interrupted her. She then opened the letter that was given to her. It was from Karisha, saying that a golden shielder came to escort Haelas to the Manse. Sol was quite puzzled as to why Haelas is being brought to the Manse.
She continued reading the letter and Karisha said that the way the Golden Shielder talked with Haelas seemed not really friendly. Sol became nervous all of a sudden.
Sol immediately slid the letter inside her pocket and went to the Training Camp Secretariat to get a pass as they needed it if ever they needed to go outside during the training days.
After she was granted a pass, she then rushed towards the nearby market to rent a steed. She then rode towards the capital. It might be the adrenaline, because this night, she rode faster than her usual speed.
In three hours, she arrived at the Manse. She noticed that the number of guards guarding the gate has doubled. She knew she couldn't win over them. Thus, she decided to use her hidden card.
She then confidently approached them. Immediately the guards blocked her. She then showed him the ring of power worn by the daughter of the Supremo. The guards looked at her in disbelief because she looked disorderly; she was sweaty and dirty.
"Can you take responsibility if you choose not to let me in?" she said in a commanding voice.
The guards looked at her again. She seemed genuine. Slowly, they walked towards the side, making a way for her to pass. As soon as she arrived at the Manse, she asked the people there if they had seen a guest that was recently brought. Finally, after asking many people, a staff member told her that he was brought to a room at the far end of the Manse.
She immediately rushed there and there she saw him.
The hands of her friend were tied with a rope connected to the ceiling. And he has a bleeding cut on his lips.
A familiar figure is seated in front of him.
"Will you continue to deny your knowledge of the Luminous?"
"I don't know a thing about that, Supremo."
"But you are Chief Healer Sapiensa's favorite. I heard that you're also a prodigy. If you had joined the healers, then you could have been the best healer in our land. I don't believe that she didn't pass that knowledge to you."
"I really knew nothing about it, Supremo."
"Beat him!" he ordered.
The golden shielder was about to beat Haelas with a piece of wood when Sol shouted at them, particularly to the Supremo.
"Father!!!"
The golden shielder, Adviser Moraii and Haelas turned towards her. Meanwhile, the Supremo who recognized that voice, didn't turn around. Sol walked towards them in long strides and faced her father.
"What are you doing, Father?" Sol asked the Supremo.
Haelas was cemented in shock when he heard Sol call the Supremo her father.
"Young Miss, calm down. The Supremo is investigating this person about an important thing," Adviser Moraii gently said to her.
"Then, why did you have to hurt him?" Sol asked, still looking straight into her father's eyes.
"It's because he kept lying, Young Miss. That's why we need to hurt him," Adviser Moraii answered.
"Adviser, I would appreciate it if you could please stop answering for my father."
"As what Adviser Moraii said, it's part of the investigation," the Supremo answered.
"Father, you know that he is my friend."
"But it doesn't mean that I couldn't investigate him."
"Release him right now, Father. He is an honest man. If he says that he doesn't know, then he doesn't."
"He still hasn't answered what he is being asked," Adviser Moraii chimed in.
Sol turned towards the Adviser.
"What are you asking, Adviser? Let me ask him," Sol said.
The Adviser was about to answer when the Supremo raised his hand. The Supremo then walked closer to Haelas, ignoring his daughter, Sol. He stared right into Haelas eyes, as if clawing what's deep inside.
"By the way, I haven't told you that your family and all of the Healers in the South are being held by my Golden Shielders at your grandmother's abode. One order from me could send them into terror. Would you rather let them sacrifice or just tell me anything you know about what I'm asking?"
"Father, how can you threaten him with his family?!"
"Stop interrupting me!!" the Supremo roared at Sol who was shocked by his outburst. It is very rare for her father to shout at her in anger. She trembled in fear.
"What do you say?" the Supremo asked Haelas again.
Tears started to stream from Haelas eyes.
"Save your tears. That won't stop me from what I'm asking."
Sol went closer to Haelas and wiped his tears.
"Haelas, do you know anything about what my father is asking? Can you please tell him? My father is a good person. Whatever he is asking you, I trust that he will use it for the common good."
Haelas tried to calm down as he tried to stop his tears. Afterwhich, he nodded.
"Inside my robes…" Haelas uttered, defeated.
Sol immediately reached for his pocket inside his robes. She pulled a folded paper from it and gave it to the Supremo.
"Then, please take care of that Supremo. That's the only copy my grandmother gave to me," Haelas said.
"I will."